Each year, U.S. News & World Report taps trusted data sources—the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, its own internal databases—and crunches the data to identify the best places to live in the United States. Colorado typically makes the top five, but this year, we basically are the top five:
#1 Boulder
Focusing on quality of life, the report cites an abundance of spas, alternative health care studios, yoga enthusiasts, and wellness opportunities. The report also notes Boulder’s educational diversity, saying the city "attracts young professionals, families, academics, scientists, transplants from both coasts, old guards who insist it was way cooler in the 1970s and, above all, lovers of outdoor recreation. Trail runners, hikers, climbers, cyclists and more move here to live in this perpetual playground.”
#2 Denver
The report cites Denver’s “easy-going crowd of ambitious, progressive-minded fitness fanatics and nature lovers who are eager to push the envelope on everything from civil rights to drug laws.” While Denver’s median home sale price is significantly higher than the national median, the economy is strong, jobs are plentiful, and quality of life ranks high.
#4 Colorado Springs
While overall cost of living is slightly higher than the national average in Colorado Springs, residents spend less than average for groceries, utilities, and transportation. Average income is on par with the national average, and construction is booming, making it easier to buy a home here than in other parts of the state.
#5 Fort Collins
The bikes-and-brews culture of Fort Collins has landed it on many top-5 lists over the past decades. As the report says, “It’s not uncommon to see locals at the trailhead in the morning for a hike, run or bike ride and then on a brewery patio with friends later that night.” The report notes that the average tax bill in Fort Collins is less than Boulder and Denver, drawing residents who have been priced out of those markets.